Why is it a myth that aerobic exercise is the only way to lose fat?

Answer 1

The only way to lose weight or fat is to create a calorie deficit - period. The reduction of fat, of course, is the real goal, not the reduction of lean muscle mass, which can occur with a significant reduction of calories with insufficent protein. There are numerous ways to create a calorie deficit: by eating fewer calories than the number which would sustain your current weight or by burning more calories through exercise, or the only really good way to do it, which is do both concurrently. Aerobic exercise burns calories almost exclusively while you are exercising, while anaerobic activity burns calories for an indeterminable period, perhaps in some cases, when the intensity of the exercise is great, for as long as 24 to 48 hours afterward. This is called the "afterburn" effect. Both aerobic (less intense, permitting your oxygen needs to be met during the exercise) and anaerobic (more intense, creates an oxygen debt which must be repaid immediately after exercise) are capable of helping you to burn the same number of calories in total, but aerobic exercise by definition would take longer. Obviously, one would choose only anaerobic exercise if time were the only important factor, or if some of the other benefits are desired, such as the development of reserve heart and lung capacity, etc., but many do not choose to perform intense exercise or they might not have the physical capacity for intense exercise, whatever the reason. One can engage in nearly any physical exercise or sport activity and achieve the same end result. The difference is in the choice of how intensely one engages in the activity as to whether it will be aerobic or anaerobic.